Diesel Captiva with water in the fuel

[MudButt]

G'day all,

Have a new Captiva that only has 900kms on the clock. This afternoon I had the "water in fuel filter" light come on (about 20kms since filling the tank). After draining the filter, I had about 300ml of water sitting at the bottom of the jar.

Granted, we have had a lot of rain here in NQ and this is most likely a one off, but, considering the inconvenience of draining the filter, I'm interested in hearing from other diesel Captiva owners. I'm wandering how often (if at all) that you have had the filter light come on?

Apparently (happy to be corrected), water in diesel fuel is quite a common occurrence. The filters are supposedly drained during scheduled service of the vehicle, so many Captiva owners will probably never see this light come on.

At this stage, I'm very satisfied with this vehicle, I've driven TD's before and am familiar with the throttle lag, it just requires a different technique to overcome. It's actually the wife's car and she was a little apprehensive about getting a diesel... she's yet to fill it (and discover the joy of using diesel bowsers)...

[barneyridge]

I know with the boat, it has built in diesel tanks of about 1,600 lt's, water is quite common. It usually forms from condensation, but also in the fuel supply. When I refill I always use a diesel conditioner that breaks up the water.

In a car I don't think the diesel would sit there long enough to form condensation, and I am not sure if you could use the same marine diesel conditioner that disperses the water.

[theVman]

Water in diesel and especially that quantity judging by the 300ml found in the filter is not normal and should be looked into.

If it can be confirmed the water has come from the service station and paste tests confirm a large quantity of fuel in their tanks then the fuel company is liable to cover costs associated with rectifying the problem.

It is likely you are not the only one suffering similar issues It does happen from time to time and given the large amount of rain up there it wouldnt supprise me underground tanks are starting to get inundated with water. Most servo tanks are over 50 years old and while it acceptable to have a 1000L or so settled in the bottom of the tank any more is a problem especially with diesel.

[Waughy]

38,xxx k's and never seen the light. Not sure if it's part of a service to drain the filter or not.

[MudButt]

In a car I don't think the diesel would sit there long enough to form condensation

Agreed, and looking at the colour of the water in the jar (brownish), it doesn't look like it's formed from condensation.


If it can be confirmed the water has come from the service station and paste tests confirm a large quantity of fuel in their tanks then the fuel company is liable to cover costs associated with rectifying the problem.

After I contacted the servo to let them know, they dipped the tank I got my fuel from and didn't find any water in the sample. The last I heard they had sent it to their distributor for a paste test. Though to have water in my tank, it would be reasonable to assume that there would be a fair amount water sitting on the bottom of their tanks - enough that it would be seen in their sample. If their tanks are free of water I would have no idea how it got into my tank, unless it was already sitting in the hose (don't know how, but it's the only other explanation I have) as the bowser is not under cover. I have only ever fueled up at this station.


38,xxx k's and never seen the light. Not sure if it's part of a service to drain the filter or not.

According to the service booklet, every 12 months regardless of kms. I imagine that this would line up with the service anyway, so is not something that the end user would be expected to perform. Though, for something that is performed regularly (and with the procedure listed under Emergencies, possibly one that may need to be done on the side of the road), you would think that they would make it a little more accessible. Especially when trying to get a container under the filter... The filter is at the top of the engine bay and you need to come up from underneath the vehicle to get a container to it - I ended up using a rubber hose.

I dropped my sample off at the servo yesterday. Will let you know what they come back with RE their tanks

[Road Warrior]

Water in diesel and especially that quantity judging by the 300ml found in the filter is not normal and should be looked into.

If it can be confirmed the water has come from the service station and paste tests confirm a large quantity of fuel in their tanks then the fuel company is liable to cover costs associated with rectifying the problem.

It is likely you are not the only one suffering similar issues It does happen from time to time and given the large amount of rain up there it wouldnt supprise me underground tanks are starting to get inundated with water. Most servo tanks are over 50 years old and while it acceptable to have a 1000L or so settled in the bottom of the tank any more is a problem especially with diesel.

+1 where did you fill up last?

[MudButt]

+1 where did you fill up last?

You mean where have I only filled up? Won't say yet, and it depends on how they handle it (which I'm quite happy with at the moment - the pump/tank was quarantined as soon as I called them about it and there was no damage to the car). It is interesting to note, however, that the pump I used (on Monday) is still "Out of Order" :hmmm:

[Alister]

Is it just a single pump out of order, or more than one?
There are normally at the very least two pumps attached to a single underground tank.

Regarding the paste test, they should have water finding paste...
We do.

[theVman]

Its not uncommon for there to be only one diesel hose / pump. Most servos I have worked at (many) have had single diesel pumps.

Seems they are doing the right thing - the fact they still have the pump out of order might indicate they came across something. I would say the problem is more than likley related to the servo than the car but you never know.

In any case seems there is no harm done. I havent heard of anyone having water in diesel for some time come to think of it. Maybe it was one of the old sites i used to work at but it wasnt too uncommon to have a few in a year. Touch wood I have never had to worry about it in mine either...

[matthewfnorbert]

i am with the vman, i have done 180k on diesel in last 2 years and always pull apart my fuel filters for inspection, not a sign of water in the fuel or oil testing done. i think you have been very unlucky and worth a trip back to the servo to let them know..